The US Air Force should focus on creating fifth-generation F-35A fighters instead of upgrading aircraft of previous generations. In her article, Heather Penny, an employee of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Research, called the modernization of F-15 aircraft a dead end. This is reported by Defense News.
Penny noted that the upgraded F-15EX is based on outdated technologies that will not help pilots in modern combat. In her opinion, in a potential conflict, the F-15EX will be able to be used only for defensive operations.
As an example, the author of the material cites the use of aviation in Syria. According to her, only the F-22 and F-35 fighters could withstand modern air defense systems.
A representative of the institute called for the completion of work on the F-15EX. This will increase the production rate of the F-35 and accelerate the development of a new aircraft under the Next-Generation Air Dominance program (NGAD). Penny stressed that the US Air Force needs a new affordable stealth aircraft.
Penny also offered to abandon the early modifications of the F-15 and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. At the same time, she called for further modernization of the F-16 and F-22 fighters, which will help preserve the potential of the Air Force before the start of serial production of NGAD.
Earlier, The Drive reported on the results of the investigation into the accident of the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighter. Specialists of the US Air Force found that the plane crashed due to "improper" washing.
Daniil Irinin
